WHITEWATER ? Jeff and Denise Ehren aren?t clear on the exact definition of middle class, but they?re pretty sure their place in it is shaky. They both work full time at UW-Whitewater ? he?s a custodian, she helps run the sports and recreation center ? but those jobs together grossed just under $50,000 last year, they said. They?ve got a mortgage, student loans, credit card debt and a list of side gigs, from bartending to secretarial work.
“I certainly don?t feel middle class,” said Denise Ehren, 34. “Sometimes I think we should just call ourselves poor and be done with it.”